There are a lot of things to love about spring, and allergies are not one of them. A big reason for them is pollen, which many people are allergic to. Pollen is released by trees, flowers, grass and weeds as they start to fertilize and grow once the temperature increases.
But there are many more different causes of allergies. In fact, allergens are present year-round. Things like dust, pet dander, mold and mildew are other large causes of allergies and respiratory problems.
With all the new activity around the house kicking around these irritants and the increase in pollen, spring always becomes the worst time of year for allergies.
To help save you lots of sneezing, coughing and runny noses, we thought we would give you some simple and helpful tips for fighting allergies this spring.
Frequently vacuum carpet and rugs
Rugs, carpets and other non-leather, wood, plastic or metal furnishings like chairs and sofas are like magnets to dust and dander, especially for pet owners. These allergens get caught deep in the fibers of whatever surface they find. Then when someone walks or sits on them the rerelease into the air.
A good way to prevent this is to vacuum your carpeting and upholstery and shake out your rugs often, once or maybe even twice a week. Oh, and always be sure to dust non-fibrous surfaces frequently as well.
If you are troubled by allergies and are considering making some changes around the house, you can think about replacing your carpeting with laminate or hardwood floors.
Attack mold and mildew build-up
Mold and mildew grows in places that are high in temperature and moisture. As you can imagine, your bathroom is an ideal location for it to grow and take hold. These allergens are also the cause of a lot of respiratory issues and need to be addressed.
It is fairly common for most bathrooms to have some level of mildew, and mold is typically pretty easy to spot. But, here are a few ways of seeking it out not only in your bathroom but around the house as well.
If you spot mold and mildew beginning to appear, scrub it with soapy water or one of the many anti-mold sprays at your local hardware store. If the problem is too severe, you may need to call in an expert.
When it comes to preventing them there are a couple different methods you can use. Make sure to keep your bathroom dry with fans and there is even special mold-resistant paint available to use in your bathroom.
Keep your windows closed
We know, we know, it is going to be so beautiful outside that it may feel nice to have a breeze come through the house. As nice as it may feel, you are opening yourself up for pollen and other airborne allergens to enter your home and wreak havoc.
That doesn't mean you should be a total shut in, though. Just be smart about when you choose to take in the spring breeze. For example, as nice as it may be to have the windows open during the evening, pollen counts are highest between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Besides, you can always rely on your air conditioner. Just be sure you always keep those vents and air filters nice and clean. Those are other hot spots for dust and dander accumulation.
Looking for air filters contact Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, today
It is hard to believe we use products in our homes today that have their roots in designs which are more than 130 years old. When it comes to sump pump products, however, that is absolutely true.
At Chapman we are proud to install sump pumps manufactured by Myers. In business since the 1870's when they first introduced a dependable double-acting hand pump, today they offer a full line of sump pumps, sewage pumps and effluent pumps. Even after all these years they continue to set the standard for quality, value and reliability.
Their product line includes:
Submersible Cast Iron Sump Pumps
These products are installed in the lowest portion of your basement or crawl space. Since water will naturally flow downhill this is where water typically collects. A hole is dug for the sump and the submersible pump is installed under the floor. This is the most common and simplest operating sump pump available. As the sump well fills with water, a float switch is triggered. The water is then pumped out of the area into a storm drain, dry well or retention pond.
The key features of the Myers Model MC1033 Series
- Performance where it counts with 40 GPM at 10'
- Heavy-duty cast iron construction
- Upper and lower double lip seals deliver smoother operation
- Dual ball bearings
- Permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor promotes less energy consumption and longer life
- Multiple automatic switch options
- Raised inlet to reduce the maintenance time
- This product comes with a 3-year manufacturer's warranty.
Battery and Water-Powered Backup for your Sump Pump System
Homeowners in central Indiana rely on their sump pumps most during extreme weather. Unfortunately the high wind and lightening, which often accompany heavy rains that flood basements, may cause short term power outages.
Battery and Water-Powered backup pumps help protect the basement from water damage by kicking into action during power outages or primary sump pump failures.
We typically recommend one of the Glentronics, Inc. Pro series battery backup systems or the Water Commander water powered backup pump.
Talk to a professional
Remember your sump pump is a piece of equipment with moving parts that may wear out over time or need to be replaced. It is important to periodically test the unit to be sure it is working correctly.
If you are have questions about how well your sump pump is working, if you need a new one or if you should add a battery backup, the qualified technicians of Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing can answer all your questions.
Give Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, to provide sump pump services for your home today
So the worst scenario has happened and something is wrong with the plumbing within your concrete slab. You're not sure what is happening, but you have made the first step to fix the problem by calling a professional. Here are a few things you need to mentally prepare for during a concrete slab repair.
First, the plumber will ask why you think there is a leak in the concrete foundation. Then the water in the house will need to be turned off by the plumber in preparation for specialized listening equipment the plumber will use. This equipment will listen for any leaks or inconsistency within the pipes.
When the leak or problem is discovered a plumber will use this technique to fix the problem:
Jackhammer Approach
The jackhammer approach is very inconvenient to home owners, but may be the best way to fix the problem. Where ever the leak is detected a square of your home will need to be cut and removed. Then a jackhammer will be utilized to break through the concrete slab to gain access to the pipes. For this approach, make sure to factor in the costs of repairing the floor that was damaged. Be prepared for loud noises and to avoid the area for the duration of the repairs.
Concrete slabs leave no room for short cuts or quick fixes. Repairing plumbing within a concrete slab is expensive, time consuming and can happen any time of year. Expect any damage in your slab to take at least a week's worth of inspection and labor to be completed. When a leak occurs, call Chapman to determine the best option for your home. For more information about concrete slab leaks or repairs, give us a call at 317-291-4909 or visit our website today!
Give Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, to provide plumbing services for your home today!
Concrete slabs are a stabilizing base for building homes. They are usually found in homes built in California and Texas. It became a trendy building technique during the 90's and early 2000's in the Midwest. It's not a common technique in most of the country, but it's important to know if your home was built on a concrete slab.
If your home was built on a concrete slab it not only maintains a stable base during construction, it also keeps all your plumbing in place. But what happens when something shifts? Damage coming from the slab can be extremely hard to detect, but we are here to make it easier. How do you discover a plumbing leak within a concrete slab? Keep reading.
1. Wet or Damp Floors
After slipping off your shoes, you might notice some dampness under your feet. Damp or wet areas of flooring can be indicators of a plumbing leak. The water escapes the pipes within the slab and starts rising to the surface. It may also cause an elevated or bubbled area of flooring. If you see this you need to contact Chapman immediately!
2. Sound of Rushing Water
If you hear the sound of rushing water and no one is taking a shower or running a bath, you've got a problem. While the water hasn't reached the surface of your flooring, it may be flowing around the pipes instead of within them.
3. Increased Water Bill
Your water bill comes in the mail and BOOM, you notice your bill is $50 more than the previous month. Pick up the phone and get a plumber on the scene. A larger water bill may be an indicator that water is escaping the pipes which is increasing your water usage.
Fixing a plumbing system within a concrete slab can be tricky, but Chapman has the expertise to make it as smooth as possible. If your home is built on a concrete slab, stay on your toes for indicators that something may be wrong. For more information about concrete slab leaks or repairs call us at (317) 207-9378 or visit our website today!
Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, your source for qualified plumbing contractors
We know what you're thinking. It's cold and I want to get warm fast. So while you're busy making sure your furnace is in tip-top shape and you're using a humidifier to balance out the dry air, you might have forgotten about your plumbing. Oh yeah. Your plumbing is going to need just as much tender love and care as the rest of your home maintenance. Icy morning showers, frozen or cracked pipes, flooding and leaks are just some of the many plumbing issues that happen when the temperature drops. Avoid these issues with some of these winter plumbing tips.
Leave Water Running - If the weather channel predicts negative temperatures or a snow storm you need to take preventative measures. Make sure the faucet in your kitchen or bathroom is dripping slightly to reduce pressure in the pipes. A slow trickle is best, not a stream. Be sure to use insulating faucet covers, rags or trash bags around your outdoor faucets.
Keep Your Pipes Insulated - Leave some of your cabinet doors under the sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms open to allow heated indoor air to circulate around the pipes. You can also use foam padding sleeves to guard your pipes during the colder months. Exposed plumbing should be kept warm! Don't forget about those pipes in the basement or unused areas of your home. You don't want frost to accumulate or cracks to develop.
Don't Forget the Outdoors , When freezing temperatures hit you definitely want to disconnect water hoses from faucets. Drain the hose and bring it indoors if you can. You also need to close the shut-off valve on the pipes that lead to your outdoor spigots. When spring decides to arrive, roll the hose back out.
Spread Out Your Showers , Not having hot water during the winter is just the worst. Eliminate this issue by spacing out showers by 10 minute intervals. This will help maintain hot water and water pressure for everyone in your house. If you decide to turn up your water heater, make sure you keep the temperature below 125 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent burns.
These are just a few tips to help get you through the freezing cold months without any plumbing issues. Still have questions? Call Chapman Heating and Air Conditioning at 317-291-4909 or visit our website today.
Give Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing a call, to answer all your plumbing needs!
